Apparatus for checking or recording the performance or running of machines or vehicles



' A. BEAUDINET.

APPARATUS FOR CHECKING 0R RECORDING THE PERFORMANCE 0R RUNNING 0F MACHINES 0R VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 15% I9I2. 7

1,414,324. Pate ted Apr. 25, 1922.

5 SHEETS--SHEET I.

A. BEAUDINET.

APPARATUS FOR CHECKING 0R RECORDING THE PERFORMANCE 0B RUNNING OF MACHINES 0R VEHICLES. APPLICA-T|0N FILED 001119, 1912 1,414,324. Patented p 25, 1922..

5 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

A. BEAUDINET.

APPARATUS FOR CHECKING 0R RECORDING THE PERFORMANCE 0R RUNNING 0F MACHINES 0R VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED 00119.1912.

1,414,324, Pz itented Apr. 25, 1922.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

' A. BEAUDINET.

APPARATUS FOR CHECKING 0R RECORDING THE PERFORMANCE 0R RUNNING 0F MACHINES 0R VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED 001. is. 19x2.

1,414,324. Patefited Apr.25,1922.

5 SHEETSv-SHEET 4- A. BEAUDINET. I

APPARATUS FOR CHECKING'OR BECQRDING THE PERFORMANCE 0R RUNNING 0F MACHINES 0B VEHICLES- APPLICATION FILED OCT. 19, 1912.

1,414,324, v Patented Apr. 25, 1922.

III/llllllllllllIl/IilFiillIIIIIIIIII/AM11111,

' ilnlllulinlllllll l UNITED STATE PATENT OFFICE.

ADOLPIIE BEAUEINET, 0F BRUSSELS, BELGIUM.

APPARATUS FOR CHECKING OR RECORDING PERFORMANCE 0R, RUNNING OF MACHINES OIL. VEHICLES.

Specification of Letters Yatent. Patented A131. 25, 1922- Application filed October 19 '1912. Serial No. 726,784.

(GRANTED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE 4C1 OF MARCH 3,1921, 41 STAT. In, 1313.)

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ADoLrHn BEAUDINET, a subject of the King of Belgium residing at 1 Rue des Oeillets, Brussels Belgium, have invented new and useful Improvements in an Apparatus for Checking or Recording the Performance or Running of Machines or Vehicles.

This invention relates to a recordingapparatus for checking or recording the operation of mechanism whether the performance is carried out constantly or intermittently, whether the mechanism runs in one direction or the other, or whether the running takes place under load or otherwise.

The principal object of the'invention is to improve and simplify the general construction of devices of this character.

A second object of the inventionis to provide an apparatus wherein, by improved means, the characteristics of all movements of the mechanism whose performance is to be recorded are automatically shown on a diagram. i

A third object of the invention is to provide means of this character which may have the record either visible or concealed in a casing.

The apparatus is substantially formed by the combination of two common mechanical movements; of a clock work mechanism measuring the time, anda second mechanism actuated from the machine whose record is to be kept and indicating the various features or characteristics to be recorded. This record may be received either on a continuous band or strip or 011 disks graduated in desired manner. v

The invention further consists in general of certain novel details of construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, like characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing an apparatus of the class described wherein the record Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line of Fig. 1.

F ig. 4 is a partial detail elevation of a modification wherein the record is kept on a continuous band or cylinder used in place of the disk.

Fig. 5 is a View, partly broken away, of the band, whereon such record has been inscribed.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatical view showing an arrangement for using a band adapted to record the operation of themachine for a number of days.

Fig. 7 is-a face view of the type of band used in connection with the apparatus shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a view showing a form of construction wherein the casing is provided with a safety device to prevent tampering with the recorch thecover. the disk, and the tracing arm being removed to better show the interior. i

Fig.9 is a detail section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 8 but showing all the parts in position and the device provided with a resilientsuspension.

Fig, 11 is a front view of the device disclosed in Fig. 10.

In the form of theconstruction shown in Fig; 1 there is provided a clock work mechanism indicated in general at (t and having and arbor whereon is formed a worm Z2 engaging a worm wheel (Z carried by a circular plate o'pivotally mounted on a stud, the head of which is shown at 0'. The gear ratio of the clockwork mechanism, worm and worm wheel. is so arranged as to rotate the disk or plate (3 once in a predetermined number of hours. for instance once every 24' hours.

In order to trace a diagram on a suitable disk 9 carried on the plate a there is provided a tracing member or arm f having a reciprocating movement.

In order to move the arm f there is provided a flexible rotary shaft 2' which is driven by the mechanism whose movement is to be recorded. This shaft is connected with a shaft 2' mounted in bearings '1? fixed upon a suitable plate p whichis in itself movable as will be hereinafter explained, On the shaftt' is a worm i whichv meshes with a worm wheel journalled on a pin 70 fixed to the plate 2;. On the worm wheel 7c is fixed an eccentric pin Z which engages in a transverse slot on of a link a. This link 'n has one end mounted in a suitable guide way as formed on the plate 7) so that when the worm wheel revolves the link will be reciprocateifl. On the link a is fixed a leaf spring .2 carrying a stylus or tracing member the lower end of which bears against the disk g when the latter is in position. Thus the reciprocating movement of the stylus traces a Zig line on the disk g as long as the shaft 2' is rotating under the influence. of the mechanism whose movement is to be recorded.

The plate 79 is arranged itself to reciprocate in a guide way 1, formed on a fixed plate 25' suitably supported by a casing of the apparatus or forming one side of said casing. Projecting from the plate 7) is a pin Q which engages in the helicoida-l groove I" of a cylinder .9 carried by a shaft .9, this shaft being suitably connected in any desired manner, not deemed necessary here to be shown with the starting switch or lever of the mechanism whose note is to be recorded.

In the modified form of apparatus as shown in the Fig. at the arbor 71. of Fig. 1 is replaced by an arbor 71. whereon is fixed a pinion Z1 which meshes with a gear cl carried by a cylinder whereon is fitted an endless band g. In this modified form the cylinder is supported on a suitable shaft 0 corresponding to the support for the disk 0. Further the plate 15 is arranged parallel to the axis of the cylinder 0 instead of perpcndicular thereto as in the form shown in Fig. 1.. Otherwise the apparatus is the same in construction.

In each oi? these forms provision may be made for recording the starting or stopping of one phase of the operation of the mecha nism and to this end the spring is provided with a slot .2 ar 'anged centrally of the spring and through which a suitable punch or stamp such as is indicated in end view at a; may be inserted to make a distinct mark on the disk.

In Fig. 6 there is disclosed a modified form wherein there is employed a strip or band in place of the endless band 5 the band being wound on a roller or spool u from oil a similar roller or spool u by suitable gearing of well known character connected to the gearing driving the cylinder 0 but not deemed necessary here to be shown as the same is common in the art. In this form it is preferable to hold the strip in proper position by means of rollers o. In the form of construction shown in Figs. 8 to 11 provision is made against tampering with the record as will be presently understood. In this form of the device there is provided a suitable clock work mechanism indicated in general at 9. On one arbor of this mechanism there is mounted a plate 6 arranged to receive a record disk Ill and provided with a sleeve (37 and whereou the disk is held by means of a washer T and nut S. In the clock work mechanism t) is ineluded a main spring ll which is connected to a suitable arbor l-T'l proiccti in: through an opening in the casing l2 which surrolnuls the entire apparatus Within the casing ii is lixed a plate ll) corresponding to the plate i of Fig. l and having a vertical sleeve l t :lorn' cd therein. In this sleeve lei rotates the sleeve (3? above referred to. On the sleeve let is Il'lUllIlllGLl a worm wheel 16 provided with an eccentric hub 15. This worm wheel 16 is driven by means of aworm 18 formed on a shaft is which is journalled in suitable bearings 19 carried by the plate 10. This shaft .18 is driven by a flexible shaft 20 from the machinery or mechanism whose motion is to be recorded.

The eccentric hub engages in a slot 22 formed on a plate 523 which is slidably mounted between the guides 24; oli a second plate 25 which, is itselt slidably mounted between guides 26 fixed to the plate 10. Fixed to the plate a bracket whereon is fixed one end of a leaf spring 28 carrying the stylus 29 (Fig. 10). A plate 30 is also fixed to the plate 27 with its free end spaced from the free end of the plate 27 so that the plate b0 "forms a limit stop "for the movement oil. the spring arm 28.

In order to displace the plate in the guides 26 there provided on the sleeve it a lever 32 having a Pork 53 at one end which engages a pin 34f. carried by the plate 25 so that as the lever oscillates the plate is caused to move in the slide so. The other end of this lever pro'v'idcd with spaced eyes 37 wherein is mounted a pivot 56 through which passes a rod 3:3 provided with spaced collars i0 and ll, the collar lid being screwed on the rod as shown. Between these collars and the pivot 36 are coil springs 3b and 53.) and by means oi the nut or collar lll the tension 01 these springs may be adjusted as desired. The rod 25 passes through a suitable opening in the casing and is coin nected to an extension ell movable in a guide block .4-2 fixed to the casing 173. This extension 1-1 carries a plate 43 on its end and this plate is provided with a slot til. ()n the outside of the casing is fixed a. bracket is whereon is mounted a stub sha'l't lTcarrying a revoluble disk it; which is provided with a pin 4:5 (Figs. 10 and 11) movable on the slot 4A: so that as the disk is rotatciil'the rod 35 is caused to move in one direction or the other. Projecting from the disk 46 is an operating handle 49. Furthermore this disk is provided with a peripheral notch 50 so positioned that when the handle 49 is turned to the position shown in dotted lines .this notch will liein alinement with a lug 51 projecting from a cover or shield 52 slidable between guides 53 mounted on the easing 12. The casing 12 is provided with a cover 56 which encloses all of the working parts of the device and fixed in the casing beneath the shield 52 is a boss 55. Through this boss and the cover 56 extends a locking bolt 55 having a suitable opening arranged to receive the'shackle 54 of apadlock. 54 when the locking bolt is in position. Normally this padlock is covered by the shield 52 but when the disk 16 is revolved to proper position the shield may be slid from over the padlock and access be had thereto. It will be obvious that this unlocking of the device can only take place when the lever 32 has been moved to a predetermined position and that when said lever is in this position the plate 25 and consequently the stylus 29 will also be in a predetermined position relative to the disk 31.

In order to provide a resilient suspension, as from a board 61, theboard and the casing 12 are connected by helicoidal suspension springs 57, 58 and 59 while between this board and casing is a leaf spring 62 so that the device thus forms a shock absorber. The lugs are providedfor the connection oi the casing 12 with. the helicoidal springs above noted. y

In the operation of the various forms of the device it will be noted that the disk or band whereon the record is inscribed is preferably divided into three bands or zones indicated respectively at a, 'v and w (Fig. 1). In all forms of the inventionthe stylus is moved from one zone to the other by the movement of the plate which is guided in the fixed plate while the stylus is moved back and forth across the respective zone by the movement of the two sliding plates relative to each other. Thus the movement of the shaft 8 or the corresponding features in the other forms regulate the zone wherein the stylus reciprocates while the flexible shaft controls the reciprocation of the stylus in that zone. a

i In order to understand fully the operation of the device as shown in Figs. 1 and 4; these figures showingthefirst two forms let it be supposed that thedevice is used in connection with a t-aximeter vehicle and that the diagram'traced on the disk or on the band indicates the work done by the vehicle from half past eight in the morning until twenty minutes past three in the afternoon.

The disc and the band are divided into twenty-four sections or sectors numbered from 1 to 24;, which represent the twentyfour hours of the day and into three concentric or superposed zones (Figure 1 or Figure a) respectively on whichthe diagram ot the running of the vehicle is automatically traced.

In the zone 11 the diagram records the running of the vehicle when empty, in the zone 7), it records the stationary periods. and in the zone w it records the running of the vehicle when loaded.

It is assumed that the shaft of the rotary cylinder 3 of the controlling apparatus carries the shaft on which the signal flag is usually employed in taximeter vehicles is mounted, and which shaft and flag are well known and do not require to be shown.

From this diagram, without further explanation, the running of the vehicles can be immediately determined as follows:

The vehicle starts empty at half-past eight and travelsin this condition to a place corresponding to the point A on the diagram. the signal flag course raised.

At A it takes up a passenger. The lowering of the flag then causes the stylus to pass from the zone a into the zone w (line of the apparatus being of up to 0. It stops from C to D, then continues still loaded from D to E where the passenger descends; the conductor again raises his flag and the tracer marks the line E--F. The vehicle travels again empty from F-G, then stops from GH. At H the vehicle takes up a second passenger, the conductor lowers his flag; the tracer is returned by this movement ofthe flag into the zone '11; line H to I. At J. the passenger leaves the vehicle, the conductor raises the flag. which produces the line J-K in order to bring the tracer back into the zone a (empty running) and so on.

At the moment which corresponds with the point O of the diagram the vehicle is rendered stationary by an accident. the passsenger remains in the vehicle but the driver half raises the flag: of his apparatus which brings the stylus into the intermediate zone o which isthe zone of accidental stopping or break down zone.

The duration of this stop iage indicated by the short circular line P Q: then the accident having been repaired and the running under load resumed. the conductor lowers the flag which brings the tracer or stylus into the zone t1: and so on.

In the example selected. the ratio of transfer between the driving wheel-of the vehi ole and the mechanism of the tracer or stylus is selected in such a way that for the distance of one kilometre traversed by the vehicle, the toothed wheel K makes a complete revolution, that is to saythe tracer executes a complete reciprocating movement returning to its point of departure. 1

Consequently each line connecting two (running under load) tracing thev i' V apices or successive points of one of the zag curves of the diagram corrcsporuls to a distance traversed oi halt a kilonjietro; and by multiplying the number oi lines between two successive apices oi one oi the curves by two, the number of kilometres covered is obtained.

If the number of lines thus traced in the same section, for instance in an hourly section of the diagram increases, it is because the speed of travelling is itselil increased.

The diagram t accd thus indicates the distance traversed by the vehicle during each period of running; it also indicates the speed at any moment in each period. Further according as the diagran'i is traced in the zone 14 or the zone to, the diagram indicates that the vehicle was running empty or loaded, and in addition indicates whether the vehicle stationary whilst waiting for its passenger, or for any other reason.

If the diagram is traced in the zone 1* it indicates that the vehicle has undergone an accidental stoppage or breakdown and the length of the line traced indicates the duration of this breakdown.

Finally, the diagram indicates the exact hour of commencing, and the end of each period of working and of stoppage.

It is quite evident that the diagram indicates at any moment whether the vehicle is running forward or backward, according to the direction in which the line is traced.

The indications "furnished by the diagram are evidently the same if the tracing takes place on a disc or on a band for a single day or a continuous band for several successive days.

If the vehicle is successively driven by different drivers, each of these drivers can mark on the diagram the end of his service.

For this purpose the spring a carrying the stylus 7' (Figure 1) is provided with the slot m, so that the conductor can insert by hand into this slot a special punch such as X. This punch marks on the disc the figure or distinctive number otthe driver in question.

In the third form of the device the record disk is divided in a slightly different way. In this instance the recording disc is di vided into two concentric annular zones 63, 64;, (Figure 10) which are each divided into fourteen sections, each corresponding to the angular displhcement of the disc carrying plate 6 during one hour of the running of the clock work movement. These two zones are separated by an annular neutral zone 65.

lVhen the disc with the handle 49 has been brought into the position shown in Figure l, the stylus 29 i displaced to and fro in the zone 63 or zone of the d ays working. When this same disc is turned through 160 and brought into the position shown in Figure 3, the stylus moves in the zone 6 L or the zone corresponding to night working. If the disc in question is simply turned through that is to say brought into such a position that its notch 50 comes beneath the lug 51 provided on the shutter 52 which covers the padlock 5%, the stylus moves to the neutral zone 65 and marks on. the diagram disc a line indicating that the box has been opened or an attempt has been made to open it with a view to changing the disc or falsifying the diagram. The record line of such an operation is then marked, for instance as at 66 (Figure ill). The stylus has passed rapidly from the zone 64liuto the neutral zone 65 and has left in this letter a circular line which indicates the hour at which the box was opened, and the time which elapsed from the opening to the closing of said. box.

The reading of the diagram placed on the recording disc andv shown in Figure 10 enables the running of the vehicle to be followed minute by minute.

It will be assumed, for the purpose of ex plaining the working that the device shown is applied to a taximetre vehicle.

According to the example illustrated in this diagram, the vehicle tarted from the garage at six oclock in the afternoon and traveled without stopping up to half-past six, then stopped until. 7:15. It resumed running up to 8:20 and then remained stationary up to 90 9 :20.

At this moment it commenced its night service and travelled without stopping up to 102415 and then stopped up to 11:45. The corresponding diagram is traced in the zone which is that of the days work in the said zone (34. At 11:45 the conductor of the vehicle wishing, for instance, to falsify the diagram endeavoured to open the box and bring the disc into the intermediate position hereinbettore indicated, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 so that the notch 50 comes beneath the lug 51. This tiaudulent action is indicated by the stylus which is brought into the zone 65 and leaves there a circular line (36, which stop at 11:55. The conductor not having been able, for instance, to open the padlock returned the handle disc into its normal position, and let his vehicle stand up to 12:15, at which hour his vehicle resumed running at a somewhat high speed up to 1:15 in the morning, and was then reversed in order to reenter the garage.

The diagram disc continuing to revolve the stylus continues to mark a circular line.

If, a in the case indicated in Fig. 1 the diagram corresponds to one kilometre of running, between two concentric spaces of the line, the speed of travelling can be ascertained at any moment.

The action of the, stylus by the movement of the vehicle in each of the two working zones is explained in the following way:

The manipulation of the handle disc 46, in order to bring the stylus into the zone 63, has 130 for its effect to compress the spring 38 and 23, which is actuated to and fro by the e07.

centric formed on the hub 15 of the toothed wheel 16, which eccentric acts in the slot 22 of the said plate 23.

In the position of this eccentric shown in Figure 8, the plate 23 is at the end of its outward course and is about to commence its return movement. The plate 25,'impelled by the action of the compressed spring 36 then follows the return movement of this plate 23 effected by the cam up to the end of the said return movement, the spring 38. progressively expanding. The eccentric 12 then again repels the plate 23 and consequently the plate 25 in the outward direction, the effect of which is to again compress the spring 36 and the movement just de scribed is repeated.

It is evident that if the handle disc 46 were brought into the position shown in Figure 10, the spring 39 would be compressed whilst the spring 38 would be expanded. The plate 25 would then bear in the opposite direction against the plate 23 and the spring 39 would act by alternate compressions and jexp ansions, as hereinbefore indicated, in order: to maintain the plate 25 always pressed against the plate 23, so as to force this plate 25 to follow the reciprocating movement which the said plate 23 makes under the action of the eccentric on the hub 15.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is

l. A. recording instrument comprising in combination with the recording stylus and the operating means thereof, a casing, a recording means in said casing, a means for locking said casing, a protecting device for said locking means connected to said operating means for the stylus, said connection adapted to allow access to said locking means only at a predetermined position of the stylus operating means, substantially as described.

2. A recording instrument of the character described comprising in combination with the stylus and the operating means thereof, a rotatable disc connected to'said operating means and having a slot, a casing, a recording means in said casing, a means for locking said casing, a means for protecting saidlocking means, a nose on said protecting means, said disc in its central position allowing the passage of said nose for permitting access to said locking means, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ADOLPHE BEAUDINET.

Witnesses:

CHAS. RoY NAsMrrH. JAS. RoY Mim'rz. 

